Amanda seemed surprised by my answer.
-That?
-Leave.
Jacob opened his eyes.
-Mother…
I raised a hand.
—But first, Mr. Bennett is going to bring some documents. After that, you won’t have to worry about my presence.
Amanda looked toward the parking lot.
—What documents?
I didn’t answer.
The administrator appeared a few minutes later, accompanied by a woman in a navy blue suit carrying a leather folder.
Mr. Bennett was a man in his sixties, kind, meticulous, and not easily surprised. During the preparations, he had treated every payment as a business transaction and every change from Amanda as a new instruction that he had to verify with me.
It stopped in front of us.
—Mrs. Emerson, I brought what you asked for.
Jacob looked at the folder.
-What’s that?
Mr. Bennett did not reply immediately.
First he handed me the documents.
Then he looked at my son and Amanda.
—These are the contracts and authorizations corresponding to tonight’s celebration.
Amanda let out a nervous laugh.
—And what do we need that for now?
The woman in the navy blue suit stepped forward.
—My name is Patricia Cole. I am the legal advisor who reviewed the agreements for this celebration on behalf of Mrs. Emerson.
Jacob stiffened.
—Legal advisor?
—That’s right—Patricia replied. —Mrs. Emerson requested a review of her contractual obligations and the payments made.
Amanda looked at me as if she had just discovered that I had been planning revenge for months.
—Are you suing us?
“No,” I replied. “I’m putting my affairs in order.”
—This is madness!
—Maybe. But the documents aren’t crazy.
Patricia opened the folder.
He explained that the main contract for the vineyard was in my name. Several service authorizations and payment receipts from suppliers were also in my name.
It didn’t mean I could erase what had happened or unilaterally cancel services already provided. It meant there were contractual obligations that needed to be clarified, and that no one could use my money as if there wasn’t a person behind it.
—Tonight’s celebration will continue as planned—Patricia said. —There is no cancellation order.
Amanda seemed to regain her color.
—Then I don’t understand what you’re doing.
Patricia closed the folder.
—Mrs. Emerson wishes to state for the record that she does not authorize any new charges in her name or any additional commitments without her express consent.
Jacob frowned.
—New charges? The wedding is already paid for.
“Most of the contracted services have been paid for,” Patricia replied. “However, there are additional requests that haven’t been invoiced yet. Suppliers have been informed that any expansion will need to be approved by the appropriate authority.”
Amanda looked at me with contempt.
—Are you going to ruin our honeymoon over an argument?
—I haven’t mentioned your honeymoon.
His silence confirmed to me that I had touched on a subject he preferred to keep hidden.
Jacob approached.
—Mom, can we talk alone?
I watched him for a long moment.
—Now do you want to talk to me?
He was speechless.
Patricia handed me a pen.
I signed the document confirming the review of my obligations and the suspension of any additional authorization not approved by me.
It wasn’t a punishment.
It was a limit.
For years I had confused the two.
When I finished, Mr. Bennett put away the papers and headed towards the living room.
Patricia stayed a few more seconds.
—Would you like me to get you a car, Mrs. Emerson?
-Yes please.
Amanda let out a bitter laugh.
—Incredible. You’re going to go out like a martyr.
I turned to her.
—No, Amanda. I’m leaving as a woman who no longer needs to stay where she’s not wanted.
Jacob looked at me.
For the first time, he seemed scared.
—Mom, wait.
But I was already walking towards the exit.
I hadn’t even reached the parking lot when I heard hurried footsteps behind me.
—¡Judith!
It was Mr. Bennett.
He stopped beside me, breathing heavily.
—There’s something you need to know.
I turned around.
—What’s happening?
He looked towards the glass doors to make sure no one could hear us.
—About an hour ago, before the ceremony, a person came to my office asking for the original vineyard contract.
I felt a chill.
-Who?
Bennett hesitated.
—Mrs. Amanda.
I clutched the bag.
—What did he want?
—I wanted to know if I could change the name of the person responsible for the payments after the wedding.
I didn’t say anything.
The administrator continued:
—I explained to him that he couldn’t do it without authorization. Then he asked if there was any way to transfer the credits and commercial benefits associated with the event to a company owned by his family.
I looked at him without understanding.
—What commercial benefits?
